Childrens Christmas Crafts

These Childrens Christmas Crafts get you into the spirit of the season!

These all use Baker's Clay and it is not difficult to make. To make Baker's Clay, you need:

1. 4 cups flour 2. 1 cup salt 3. 1 ¼ - 1 ½ cup water

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl, and knead until smooth. Now, you're ready to make your Christmas crafts!

If you are not interested in making crafts from Baker's Clay, click here for information on childrens christmas crafts using acorns.

Childrens Christmas Crafts #1: Christmas Tree Ornaments

These two ornaments are easy and fun to make:

Snowman Use the Baker's Clay to roll three balls. These should be of three sizes. A small one to make the head, a medium one to make the belly and a large one to make the bottom. Now, gently "score" (make scratches) the belly top, moisten it with water and attach the head to it by pressing it gently. Similarly, join the belly to the bottom.

Teddy Bear Roll one small and one medium sized ball. Score and attach together, as in the snowman. For arms and legs, make four small cylinder shapes with flattened ends. Attach tem to bear body. Use your thumbnail to pinch ears into the head.

-For ornament hook, take a 2" piece of wire and, with pliers, bend one end into a hook. Put the straight end of the wire into the ornament top, leaving the hook showing.

-Now bake at 300 degrees, for about ½ -1 hours, until the clay gets set, and turns a nice golden hue. If any cracks appear midway, cure them with moist clay and continue baking.

-Paint the ornaments with egg when they are almost baked, and look dry. This will give them a deep golden color. For an even richer gold, apply 2-3 coats of egg.

Childrens Christmas Crafts #2: Napkin Rings

-Take a paper towel or toilet paper cardboard tube. -Cover it completely with aluminum foil. -Roll pieces of Baker's Clay into ropes, each ¼" thick and 12" long. -Fold each in half and twist the strands together. -Wind them around the tube, moisten ends with water and press together to seal. -Bake at 300 degrees, for ½ -1 hour, until set and golden. -For a deeper gold, paint with an egg, when almost done baking. -When done, take off tube and cool.

*Here's another idea: -Roll out flat strips of Baker's Clay, 6" long, 2" wide and ¼" thick. Wrap around cardboard tube and seal ends as above. -Decorate with clay "fruit", e.g., small clay balls can become a bunch of grapes. -To attach, score napkin ring, moisten with water and press "fruit" down gently.

You can also make roses, stars, etc., but bake them separately and then glue them to the baked napkin rings.

1. For a brighter look, add some food coloring to the clay. 2. Alternatively, after baking and cooling, paint ornaments and rings with acrylic, and seal with shellac. 3. Top up with gold or silver spray paint to make them sparkle.

To ensure your Childrens Christmas Crafts will last for many years to come, make sure they are stored n a cool, dry place.

Baker's Clay can be used for making a variety of creative gifts and decorations. So, let your imagination roam free this Christmas!